The Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) organised “Mathematics and Science Fair (MSF) 2018” on 27 September 2018 at Sungai Long Campus.
Held annually, the fair aimed to enhance students’ knowledge and interest in mathematics and science, provide educational experience and fun through participation in mathematics activities and science demonstration and to create awareness on the importance of mathematics and science application in daily life.
Lee thanking all the participants for their support
When asked, MSF 2018 organising chairperson, who is also CFS’ assistant lecturer Lee Cin Dee said, “Our concept this year is similar to the one we had last year. Although this event was previously run by the lecturers, this year my main idea was to expose our students to organising skills. Hence, we provided an avenue for them to fulfil their curiosity in science by allowing them to run and showcase their ideas to other students, under our supervision. The experiments were their own ideas which they could not carry out in their classroom. Besides, I also wanted to harness their entrepreneurship skills, so we prepared some food booths for them to do some sales activity. This event is not only meant for the science students, but it is meant for all who wishes to cultivate their interest in mathematics and science.”
The participants during MF2 2.0 Competition Maths
A mathematics competition, titled MF2 2.0 Competition Maths for Fun 2018 was also held on the same day. It saw the participation of 150 students. The competition aimed to promote interest in mathematics among UTAR students, strengthen mathematics skills among the Foundation students, and create a networking event. It also aimed to challenge, encourage and develop all mathematically gifted students in Malaysia besides fostering friendly relationship among students from different courses and streams. The champion walked away with a cash prize of RM30, while the first runner-up and consolation prize winners walked away with RM20 and RM10 respectively.
MF2 2.0 Competition Maths for Fun 2018 Winners List:
Champion: Tan Hao Zhe
First Runner-Up: Lim Ying Han
| Consolation: | 1. | Ong Kar Ming |
| 2. | Chang Min Hui | |
| 3. | Tang Kai Jie | |
| 4. | Chiu Wei Lin |
The event also saw a talk titled “How Innovation & Creativity Develop from Science Subjects: Fun, Tools/ Burdens?”. It was presented by G&P Geotechnics Sdn Bhd Founder and Senior Director Ir Liew Shaw Shong. Ir Liew obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering with First Class Honours from the National Taiwan University of Taipei in 1991 and hisMaster of Engineering Science from the University of New South Wales in 1993.In the past twenty-six years, he was involved in numbers of forensic investigations of landslide problems on mountainous roads and is one of the project team members in the National Slope Master Plan Study commissioned byMalaysian Public Works Department (JKR). He has also conducted various short courses and delivered lectures on subjects covering subsurface investigation, instrumentation, dam engineering, slope engineering, soft ground engineering, pile and retaining wall designs, geotechnical case histories and forensic engineering.
Ir Liew giving his talk on “How Innovation & Creativity Develop from Science Subjects: Fun, Tools/ Burdens?”
“Creativity is a kind of problem-solving capability for better efficiency, convenience and affordability. In the process of creativity, curiosity is one of the most important ingredients. Besides, the process of creativity also involves observation or connectivity; mystery; imagination; creativity; also passion and revolutionary. Albert Einstein once said ‘I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious’. That is how he became successful, by coming out with relativity theory,” said Ir Liew.
He then continued, “Why fun is important in learning? We all like surprises. When the surprise comes to you, you will be quite joyful. We all like to daydream, as imagination allows us to go beyond the existing, and that is the first step towards innovation. First-time experience is also very important. It actually drives you to continue, move forward, explore and pursue. These are the attributes to create fun learning. To fulfil your curiosity is to seek out for new knowledge.”
“Learning is a very personal matter. No one is to be blamed or held accountable for your success except yourself,” said Ir Liew.
Melissa thanking all the organising committee for their hard work
Sungai Long Campus’ CFS Director Melissa Stefanie Netto thanked all the organising committee for putting this event together and making it a success. She also expressed her gratitude to Ir Liew for giving the talk and sharing his experience with the participants. “Do not limit yourself because there are a lot of things that we can learn. Regardless of which path you are choosing for your future, you must remember that life is a combination of many factors. Hence, do not limit yourself to what you want to do,” said Melissa.
The talk then ended with Melissa presenting a token of appreciation to Ir Liew.
Melissa (right) presenting a token of appreciation to Ir Liew
(Courtesy pictures from MSF 2018 Student Photographer Group)
When asked, Year one Semester two CFS student Jamie Lee Ye Ker said, “We are doing parachute experiment for MSF 2018. The idea is to test the air resistance. We will provide the materials and give them some time to complete. Upon completing the parachute, they have to test it. The parachute that remains in the air for more than six seconds, wins it.”
Participants testing out their parachute
Year two Semester five CFS student Low Daliang said, “Last year, I conducted an experiment using a battery to test the line voltage, however, it was not powerful enough. This year, I used the Tesla coil. When a conductor is placed under a varying magnetic field, a small current will be induced inside the conductor. Imagine a waterfall, voltage is the gate and current is the water; without the current, even if the gate is open there will be no electricity; but if the current is there and the voltage is open, the water will flow out and electricity will be produced. For a Tesla coil, the conductor is called the secondary coil and the varying magnetic field will be produced by the primary coil. Since the number of turns in the secondary coil is greater than the primary coil, the voltage will generate strong electric flux around itself which is powerful enough to light up the fluorescent bulbs.”
Low explaining how Tesla coil works with the principle of Electromagnetic Induction
MSF 2018 was sponsored by How Thong Construction & Civil Engineering Sdn Bhd and MyoSotis Café. Soft skill points were awarded to participants who finished collecting all the stamps in each of the experiment station.
Committee member showing the DNA extract
A small volcanic explosion caused by “baking soda”
Participants participating in hands-on experiments
The main entrance of MSF 2018
Bravo to all the organising committee members and lecturers for the hard work
(Courtesy pictures from MSF 2018 Student Photographer Group)
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